Wire cutting and straightening machine.



(No MndeI'.)

Patented Dea. I6, |902. J. KELLEY &. W.. V. P. A. REID. WIRE CUTTING ANDSTBAIGHTENING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 27, 1901.)

' 3 Sheets-Shaef I.

I WZ@ V Patented DBG. I6, |902.. J. KELLEY &. W. V.`& P. A'. REID.

WIRE CUTTING AND- STBAIGHTENING MACHINE.

mpplicuzion med Nov. 27, 1901.)

(Nb Model.)

Egjlvgf j I I UNITED STATS PATENT UEEIGE.

` JAMES KELLEY,- WALTER v..REID, AND PETTIS A. REID, oE RICHMOND,INDIANA; SAID `JAMES KELLEY AND WALTER v. REID ASsIGNoRs To SAID PETTISA; REID;

wins UTITINGTAND sTRAlGl-ITENING MACHINE.

; :SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,051, datedDecember 16, 1902. i Application led November Z7, 1901. 'Serial No.83,874. (No model.)

T a/ZZ whom, it may concern: m Be it known that we, JAMES KELLEY, TAL`TER V. REID, and PETTIS A. REID, citizens of the UnitedStates,residingat Riehmond,in the .county `of Wayneand State of Indiana, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in WirelOutting and StraighteningMachines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, andexact description of the Io invention, such as will enable Mothersskilled in the art to whichxit Aappertains to make and use the same. 1 n

This invention relates to wireworking machinery, and more{.larticularly` to machines I5 for straigthening Wire,.cu tting the sameinto predetermined lengths, and feeding these straightened and severedsections uniformly to machinery for bending the wire into the variousforms requiredin the manufacture of zo wire fabric and other articles.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and highly`efficient mma-g chine which will rapidly1 produce an unlimitednumber ofwire sections properlystraightz5 euedfand of uniform length. Furtherobjects are to make provision for `ready adjustment of the cutter-operating mechanism, so as to cut sections of different lengths, tostraighten and c ut wireslof differ- 5o ent sizes', toprovide means fordelivering the sections uniformly and at regular intervals to thewire-workingA machinery or elsewhere,z and to improve generally themechanism employed for these'purposes.

The machineherein shown embodying the 4invention comprises awire-straightening device,.a severing means whereby the wire is cut intouniform predetermined lengths, means whereby the straightened andsevered 4o sections ofwire are delivered to the formingmachine ordischarged, and adjusting means whereby the sections of wire areuniformly arranged forfeeding to the forming mechanism when desired. m

The invention will hereinafter be first more particularly described withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part `of thisspecification, and then pointed out in the claims following thedescription.

In said drawings, inV which corresponding 5o letters of reference areused to denote similar parts in different views, `Figure lis a plan Viewof a machine embodying our invention Awith parts broken away. Fig. 2 isa side view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary 55 detail sectionalview, on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, showing one end of thewirereceiviug shaft with the cutting device thereon. Fig. 4 is atransverse section on thefline 4 4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direc- 6o`tion of the arrow. Fig. is a perspective view of thetripper-bar-retaining shell and guide removed from the machine.. Fig. 6is a perspective view of one of the tripper-bars removed. Fig. 7 isavertical transverse sec- 65 tion of the machine,taken on the line 7 7of Fig.

1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig.

8 is a vertical transverse section of the machine, taken on the line 8 8of Fig. 1, showing another position of the cam-wheel and 7o vilbratorypawlcarrying lever engaged therewith. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail viewof the pawl-andratchet device for actuating the cutter andwire-receiving shaft. Fig. 10 is a perspective -view, enlarged, of themovable member of the wire-cutting device. Fig. 11

is a similar View of the stationary member of the wire-cutting device.Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the tripper camflever detached. Fig. 13is an enlarged sectional detail show- 8o ing the feed-rolls orwire-advancing mechanism and means for supporting and adjusting thesame. Fig. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal section ofthewire-straightening device. Fig.

15 is a transverse section on the line 15 15 of 85 Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is aperspective view of a broken-away portion of the straightener, on anenlarged scale, illustrating the manner of securing the dies inposition. Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective vewof one `of the dies 9odetached. Fig. 18 isa plan view of the wire receiving and deliveryportion ofthe machine, illustrating the application of a formingmechanism to which the cut sections of wire may be delivered, themachine being shortened up by breaking out the central portion. Fig. 19

is a vertical transverse section of the machine, taken on line 19 19 ofFig. 18. Fig.

as shown in Fig. 13,

2O is a detail of the ratchet device of the delivery mechanismshowninFig. 18, and Fig. 21 is a detail of the feed device.

In the drawings the letterA denotes the supporting-framework of themachine,which may be of any suitable form or material. In the form shownit has an elevated portion A', at one end of which is mounted a baseplate or casting B, having standards b Z2 rising therefrom and providedwith suitable bearings for the ends or journals of the straightener C,the latter having at one end a beltpulley c, by which it may be revolvedfrom acounter-shaft. (Notshown.) Thisstraightener is shown more fully inFigs. 14 to I6, wherein it is represented provided with a longitudinalbore or opening c' and with a series of screw-threaded perforations c2,formed transversely through the body thereof and intersecting thelongitudinal opening. A screw-plug c3 is inserted in the outer portionof each of said perforations c2 and a die c4 in the inner end of each,the inner ends of the dies projecting into the longitudinal opening c',with the adjacent faces of each opposite pair of dies in closeproximity, as shown. The bodies of the dies c4 are square or polygonalin cross-section and engage grooves c5, formed in the perforations c*transversely of the screw-threads, as shown in Fig. 16, by which meansthe dies are firmly held from turning, while at the same time they areleft free to be moved longitudinally of the perforation. In practice thedies, or other hard metal,` may form their own guiding-grooves by theirsquare corners cutting acrossthe screw-threads when forced into thetransverse apertures. The ends of the dies are formed with grooves c6,which engage opposite sides of the wire as it passes through the openingc. VBy this simple arrangement the dies are firmly held from turning andat the same time are in position to be readily adjusted to enable themto act upon the wire, so as to straighten it while the latter is beingdrawn rapidly through the straightener. Each die may be provided withone of the grooves c6 in each end, so that when one groove becomes wornthe die may be renewed by simply reversing it to bring the other grooveinto action.

Upon the forward side of standard b' is a short guideway D, in which twochucks or guide-blocks d d are slidably secured, and in theseguide-blocks are journaled two shafts E E, having grooved rollers e eupon their upper ends, the grooves in the rollers constituting betweenthem a guide for the wire X and serving when rotated in oppositedirections to draw the wire forcibly through the straightener andadvance it onward to the cutting and feeding mechanism.

Tapped through uprights on the guideway D are adjusting-screws d', theinner ends of which engage plates cl2, between which and the blocks dare interposed buffer-springs d3, the latter being prefer-y being ofbrass ably formed of hard rubber, though any suitable material may beemployed, so that the rollers when adjusted bythe screws d may grip thewire with sullicient force to draw it through the straightener, while atthe same time they are adapted to yield sufficiently to avoid breakageunder abnormal strains. 'Ihe buffers d3 thus serve as springs toyieldingly support the rollers and are preferably partially embedded inthe guide-blocks d. y

Means for rotating the shafts E E, with the rollers e e thereon, areillustrated in Figs. 2 and 13, said means comprisinga main drivingshaftF, journaled horizontally in the framework A and having thereon abeveled gearwheel f, engaging a beveled gear-wheel e3 on the lower endof one of the shafts E, the latter shafts being connected byinterengaging pinions e2, so that the motion of the shaft F iscommunicated to the shafts E and the rollers e thereon are caused torotate in opposite directions. 'Fhe shaft F is provided at its outer orrearward end with a suitable belt-pulley F and at its forward end with acrank-wheel F2, the latter serving also as a balance-wheel in additionto its crank-wheel function, which will hereinafter be explained. Thecenter line of the grooves in the rollers e is in horizontal alinementwith the center or axial line of the straightener, so that the wire Xwill be drawn in a straight horizontal line through said straightener.As a guide to the wire X to maintain it in its proper central positionwhen entering the opening through the straightener an apertured plate Gmay be arranged across its intake end.

Attached centrally to the forward side of the base-plate B is a bracketH, through a perforation in the upper part of which the wire X passesafter leaving the rollers e e. The bracket extends downward below thebase-plate B, as at h, to afford a support for a stud I, which forms abearing for a vibratory lever J, Fig. 7. Journaled at one end in thebracket H and at the opposite end in a standardL, rising from the frame,is a wire receiving and delivery shaft K. As shown in Fig. 9, thejournal of the inner end of the shaft K may be somewhat elongated, so

.as to provide sufficient space between the end of the shaft and itssupporting-bracket H for the reception of a ratchet-wheel M, a movableor rotary cutter m, and a stationary disk or plate mbeside said movablecutter, the ratchet-wheel and cutter being secured to the shaft K, as bya feather-key or splineand-groove connection with the journal 7c thereofor other suitable means, and at the same time being readily removabletherefrom for renewal or repairs, while the disk m is so connected withthe bracket H as to to remain` stationary upon the journal 7a. (See Fig.The outer end of the journal 7c projects through the bracket H and ispreferably secured in place by nuts 7c thereon, as shown. By such meansthe shaft K is adapted to be rotated in its bearings and at the sametime ICO IIO

is prevented from having any endwisemovement. The stationaryplate ordisk m' is provided with one or more perforations m2,adapted.totregisterV one at a time with a perforation in the bracket H,so that when secured in position upon the journal 7c and connected to`the bracket the wire X may pass freely through the alined perforations.The cutter m may be provided with a series of radial recesses,`preferably open slots m3, in its periphery, adapted to consecutivelyregister with the aperture or perforation fm2 in the plate m,as thecutter revolves With the ratchet and roller, `so that the recesses m3pass over the aperture m2 in succession, and produce a shear-like actionbetween the parts m and fm', whereby, as the wire X is projected throughthe ai erture`m2, it will be cut off by the action of the revolvingcutter, as will be readily understood. The recesses m3 in thecutter-disk, which are open-slotted 'to facilitate ejection or deliveryof the severed wire section,though any suitable openings would obviouslybe operative, are preferably slightly inclined or oblique,as shown inFig. 10, ground to a sharp edge and revolve in close contact with thestationary plate m', so as to produce the proper shear-like action abovenoted. The ratchet-wheel M is` provided with teeth m4, corresponding innumber and location with the recesses m3 in the cutter-disk, but largerthan said recesses, so as not to interfere with them, and the shaft Kmaybe provided with longitudinal grooves 7a2, corresponding to andregistering with the interstices between the teeth of the ratchet-wheeland the recesses in` the cutter. Thus when the shaft K and its attachedratchet-Wheel and cutter are arranged with one of the recesses m3 inalinement with the wire-receiving aperture m2 and the aperture in thebracketH one of the grooves k2 of the shaft will likewise be inalinement with, said apertures anda recess m3, so that when disk may bereadily sharpened when worn, ,p

and the device can thus be maintained in goodworkingcondition with verylittle trouble. The cutter-plate m is preferably attached to the bracketH by pins m5, so that it may be adjusted rotatively upon` the jour-` nal`K (when required to bring `one ofthe series of perforations thereininto proper rela-` tion to the perforation in the support) and` securedto the bracket or support H at any` point" desired. The perforations m2`of the cutter and the apertures for the pins mare radially arrangedwith reference tothe j ournal 7s, so that a perforation m? will alwayscome into proper position when the plate-is adjusted, as before noted.By these simple means all the parts of theicutting device are adapted tobe readily removed for renewal or repairs. y

In conjunction with the mechanism already described we provide meanswhereby the shaft K is givena part rotation at intervals, so that assoon as the proper length of wire to be severed has entered the alinedgroove 7a2 the rotating mechanism will be actuated and the shaft rotatedfar enough to bring the next groove into alinement with an aperture m2,the movement of the shaft causing the edge of the alined recess oropen-ended slot m3 of theV cutter to sever the wire and carrying forwardthe severed section with the moving recess, and so on, intermittently,an additional length of Wire being advanced between each movement andone section severed at each movement and then carried onward anddischarged by gravity. To this end the lever J has an elongated slotjtherein, which receives a crank-pin f', projecting from one face or sideof the crank-wheel F2, whereby the lever will be vibrated when the saidcrank-wheel revolves, and the said vibratory lever carries at its upperend a dog or pawl J', which moves back and forthwith the vibratorymovements of the lever and is adapted to intermittently successivelyengage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel M and give a part revolutionthereto and through it to the shaft K and the cutter thereon each time atooth is engaged. To prevent continuous successive engagement of thepawl and ratchet and consequent continuous revolution of the shaft, weprovide a pawl-retaining device which may consist of a horizontal stopor rocker arm N, pivoted in such relation to `the pawl as to normallyhold the latter out of engagement with the ratchet, as indicated in Fig.9, but adapted when rocked on its pivot to release the pawl and permitthe latter, under the stress of a spring y2, to enL gage a tooth of theratchet-wheel, whereby IOO IIO

as the pawl is thrown back by the action of the crank-wheel andvibratorylever the shaft K will be given ,a quick movement, making apart rotation equal to the distance `between any two of its peripheralgrooves,

thus causing the cutter to sever a section of wire, which will becarried part Way around `the shaft and at the proper time discharged `toreceive the advancing feed-wire. By means `of a spring n orothersuitable device the stop N will be restored to its original ornormal position the instant after it is moved to effect `the release ofthe pawl, and as the latter is carried forward into position to engageanother ratchet-tooth it will pass under the stop and be prevented fromengaging another ratchet-tooth during the time the wireis being advancedintoposition to be cut.

When

the wire has advanced into the alined groove 7a2 to the limit of itsmovement, (which is the length of the section to be cut,) the pawl willbe again released by the action of the advancing wire and will againoperate the cutter, and so on, each time the feed-wire reaches thedesired limit. To actuate the stop and release the pawl to permit asection of wire to be cut off the instant the desired length has beenfed into the groove of the shaft K, we provide a tripping mechanismwhich may consist of a shell or sleeve O, fixed on the shaft K andhaving a series of internal longitudinal grooves or guideways o therein,which register with the grooves k2 in the shaft K, and a series of barsPP, slidably arranged in said registering grooves, with their endsprojecting beyond the ends of the shell and provided with stop pins orprojectionsp for limiting their movement in either direction, theforward ends of said bars being adapted to contact with a movablecam-ring Q, whereby when the feed-wire has advanced the desired distancein the groove of the shaft the bar P which lies in the same groove willbe pushed out against the cam-ring, moving the latter away from theshell and drawing upon a rod q', connecting the cam-ring and stop N,thereby rocking the latter upon its pivot sufficiently to release thepawl. When released, the springj2 will throw the pawl into engagementwith Athe ratchet, and the shaft K will be given a part revolution forcutting a section of wire and delivering a previously-cut section, asalready explained. The cam-ring Q surrounds the shaft K, and itscam-surface confronting the end of the shell is gradually inclinedaround the shaft from a point just at the side of the groove in whichthe wire is being advanced back to such point, as shown in Figs. l and18, and the outer ends of the slide-bars P travel around in engagementwith the cam, retaining their places at all times in the grooves of theshaft, the cam-ring being held normally in engagement with the outerends of the series of bars by a spring q2 or other suitable deviceacting upon a hinged lever Q', on which the cam-ring may be mounted, sothat any end movement of the slide-bars will be communicated to andcorrespondingly move the pawl retaining stop through its connection withthe cam-lever. It will be observed that the highest part of thecam-surface is at all times in alinement with the advancing wire, sothat when the wire strikes the uppermost tripper-bar P, lying in itspath, thereby moving forward the cam-lever and effectinga turn of theshaft K, through the connections above described, the said uppermosttripper-bar will be carried past the end Q3 of the cam-surface q, whichmovement will immediately release the camlever and permit the spring Q2to draw it back to normal position, thus releasing the stop N andpermitting its spring to return it to its former pawl-retainingposition. The shell O and its connections andthe cam-lever Q areadjustable longitudinally of the shaft K and framework A, so as to adaptthe device to straighten, cut, and feed wires of different lengths, theshell being adjustably secured on the shaft by a set-screw o' and thelever Q being mounted on an adjustable bar Q2, having its ends securedby bolts entering any one of aseries of perforations g4 in theframebars.

It may be desirable in some cases to use the wire feeding,straightening, and cutting mechanism thus far described in producingsections of Wire for various purposes without any immediate utilizationof the sections, in which case the severed sections may be discharged orallowed to fall into a receptacle suitably located to receive them fromthe receiving and delivery shaft; but we preferably provide anintermittent feed device and means for conducting the severed sectionsof wire thereto as they are discharged or dropped from the aforesaidshaft, whereby the said sections may be intermittently delivered, one orany specied number at a time, to the Wireworking mechanism or elsewhere,as desired, simultaneously with the operation of cutting andstraightening the feed-wire. In Figs. 18 and 19 of the drawings theletter R denotes the said feed device, which in the present instance isarranged to receive the severed sections of wire one by one from thecutting mechanism and deliver them successively to a wire working orforming machine. (Designated by the letter Z.) The said feed device mayconsist of a longitudinal shaft R', journaled in the lower extremitiesof the lower bars s' of inclined guideways S and S', as shown moreclearly in Fig. 1 9, and having secured thereon adjacent saidextremities thin disks or collars o", which disks are correspondinglyprovided with equidistant circumferential notches r' and are partiallyembraced by curved guards s2, formed atthe lower extremities of theupper bars s of said guide- Ways and terminating below the shaft. Theguide-bars s and s' are preferably provided at adjacent edges withadjustable strips s3 and s4, respectively, between which the wires aresupported on their way to the feed device and which may be properly adjusted to prevent crowding or crossing, as well as to accommodate wiresof different sizes, by setscrews or bolts entering slots S5 in saidstrips s3 and s4. At each intermittent or partial rotation of the shaftR one of the notches r' of each disk is brought to register exactly withthe spaces between the strips S3 and s4, and thus receive a wire, whileat the same time a wire previously received by other notches having beencarried around and past the lower extremities of the guards s2 isdropped therefrom in proper position upon the form.- ing mechanism orelsewhere, as desired. It

will be understood that by employing disks of greater diameter havingdeeper peripheral notches the feed device will at each intermittentmovement receive and deliver any speci- ICO IIO

fied number of wires or severed portions and may thus be used as anaccurate and rapid counter or assembler of the wires in groups ofrequired numbers. The thin notched disks rare employed in preference todevices of greater thickness in order to facilitate admission of thewires into the notches r thereof, since in a delicately-constructedapparatus any curve or bend in the Wire might retard or prevent itsentrance into notches of any substantial length. To tix the disks to nthe shaft and to provide sufficient bearing within the guards s and s',said disks may be secured to collars r2 on the shaft R', havingcircumferential cut-away portions, as r4, at points corresponding to thenotches ofthe disks to prevent interference with the wires,

` as shown more clearly7 in Fig. 2l. As a means for intermittentlyrotating the feed device the shaft R may be provided witha ratchetwheelR2, Fig. 20, rigidly secured thereon and having its teeth, whichcorrespond in number with the notches of the disks r, successivelyengaged by a spring-pressed pawl r, carried by a rocking lever R3, whichmay be loosely mounted on the shaft R between the ratchet-wheel and acollar on said shaft and connected by a cord or rope to a crank on asuitable driving-shaft of the machine, (not shown,) said lever beingmaintained against pull of the cord by a retractile spring R4 drawingdown upon a tailpiece of the lever or by other suitable means. At eachrevolution of the crank the lever is thus moved by force of the springwhen the cord is slack to carry the pawl past the ratchet tooth next tobe engaged and oppositely moved by pull of the cord to partially rotatethe `feed device, the arrangement being such that the wires are droppedfrom the feed device upon the forming mechanism intermittentlyat theproper periods. A guide-plate T, Fig. 18,

l, is supported adjustably from the frame A at a point about inalinement with the outer ends of the severed and discharged sections ofwire, against which the ends of the wires are adjusted to 4insure thepassage ofthe wires to the feed device properly arranged forpresentation thereby to the forming mechanism. Mechanism for thusadjusting the i Wires is shownin Figs. Zand 18 and mayconsist of aninclined plate U, suspended from a correspondingly-.inclined barU',whichis pivotally connected at one end to the frame A and near its other end-to a rod o, pivoted to one arm of a `bell-crank leverV, which ispivotally mounted on the frame A and has its other arm pivotallyconnected by a rod n with the vibratorylever J, whereby a vibratorymotion is imparted to the inclined plate U when the said lever J isvibrated. The drivingf shaft F travels with considerable speed and willtransmit to the leverJ a rapid vibratory movement, which in turn isimparted to the plateU. As Will be observed, the bar U and its attachedplate U are inclined forwardly or toward the plate T, as

well as downwardly in alinement with the guide-bars S and S, so that asthe outer or free end of the, plate U is rapidly vibrated horizon tallythe severed sections of Wire moving down theinclined guideway will bemoved endwise or horizontally by the action of the plate U, so thattheir ends will be properly alined for presentation to the` feed device.The plate U is preferably corrugated, as shown, to insure a morethorough and uniform action on the wires. By this simple arrangement anyrequired number of wires, of any required length Within the capacity ofthe shaft K, may be very rapidly produced and fed to any of the variousforming machines or apparatus.

It will be observed that Figs. 7, 8, and 19 illustrate the vibratorypawl-carrying lever J in different positions, said lever beingshown inFig. 7 in a substantially vertical position between the limits of itsforWard-and-backward throw or movement, While in Fig. 8 itis `shown in abackwardly-inclined position at thelimit of its backward movement,inwhich position, if the pawl has engaged with a ratchet-tooth in movingback, it will rotate the shaft K. The extreme forward throw or movementof the lever is shown in Fig. 18, wherein the pawl-retaining stop isshown with the pawl released by the action of the advancing wire andtripping mechanism, the normal position of the last-rnentioned partsbeing shown in Fig. 1.

While we have shown a cylindrical shaft with six longitudinal grooves,it will be understood, of course, that a greater or less number maybeemployed, and the shaft may have a polygonal or other form incross-section. Its operating-ratchet may also be provided with someefficient form of stop or a spring to prevent any motion thereof duringthe periods when it is required that the shaft shall remain stationary.

Any required number of guideways S and S may be employed, according tothe length of the shaft K, but generally two will be sufcient, as shown.A series of intermediate supports SZ may also be employed at suitableintervals to prevent the wires from sagging between the guideways. Theguide-bars S and S may be adjust-ably supported at the upper endsthereof by brackets Y, mounted on the framework, such adjustment beingobtained by means of a curved or diagonal slot y and clamp-screw y',Figs. 8 and 19. By these means the degree of inclination of the bars maybe adjusted as required. The upper ends of the upper bars s are curvedupwardand over the shaft K, as shown, and mhinged at s to upwardextensions of the lower bars s by an elongated slot-and-bolt connectionto permit the removal of the upper bars or adjustment, primarily,forvarying sired, to adapt the device to the size of the wire passingthrough, by adjusting the strips IOO s3 and 34. It is requisite that thewires shall pass through or along the guideways consecutively or oneafter another, as indicated in Fig. 8; hence the necessity for adjustingthe width of the passage so that the wires, while passing freely throughsaid space, may not ride over one upon another. To retain the feed-wirein the groove of the shaft as it is being advanced for the action of thecutter, a bar or bars K2 may be arranged to overlie the retaining-grooveand may be confined in proper position bytting the same in recessesprovided therefor under the curved upper ends of the guide-bars S.

Various modifications in both details of construction and arrangement ofparts will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art towhich the invention relates and which may not involve a departure fromthe spirit or scope of our invention, and hence we do not desire tolimit our invention to the exact construction and arrangement shown anddescribed.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a machine of the character described, a Wire-straighteningmechanism, in combination with a receiver for the wire havingindependent wire-receptacles, oppositely-rotating rollers adapted todraw the wire through said straightener and advance it into saidreceiver, means for severing the wire at the limit of its movement intothe receiver, and mechanism for moving said receiver intermittently tocause the advancing wire to enter successively said receptacles.

2. In a machine of the character described, a wire-straighteningmechanism, in combination with a receiver for the wire havingindependent wire-receptacles, oppositely-rotatin g rollers adapted todraw the wire through said straightener and advance it into saidreceiver, means for severing the wire at the limit of its movement intothe receiver, mechanism for moving said receiver intermittently to causethe advancing wire to enter successively said receptacles, together withmeans for varying the distance the wire may enter into the receiver. y

3. In a machine of the character described, a wire-straighteningmechanism, in combination with a receiver for the wire havingindependent wire-receptacles, oppositely-rotating rollers adapted todraw the Wire from said straightener and advance it into said receiver,means for severing the wire at the limit of its movement into areceptacle, and means actuated by the advancing wire for intermittentlythrowing said severing means into action and moving said receiver tocause the advancing wire to enter the several receptacles successively.l

4. In a machine of the character described, a wire-straighteningmechanism, in combination with a receiver for the wire havingindependent wire-receptacles, opposite] y-rotatin g rollers adapted todraw the wire from said straightener and advance it into said receiver,means for severing the wire at the limit of its movement into areceptacle, and means actuated by the advancing wire for intermittentlythrowing said severing means into action and simultaneously moving saidreceiver to cause the advancing wire to enter the several receptaclessuccessively.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with arotatable shaft having a series of radially disposed longitudinalwire-receiving grooves therein, of a stationary guide-plate having anaperture therein with which said grooves are successively alined as saidshaft is rotated, a cutter-disk having peripheral recesses with cuttingedges corresponding to and in alinement with said wire-receiving groovesand disposed between said shaft and guide-plate in shearing relation tothe latter, and means whereby said shaft and cutter-disk areintermittently rotated, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with arotatable shaft having a series of radially-disposed longitudinalwire-receiving grooves therein, of a stationary guide-plate having anaperture therein with which said grooves are successively alined as saidshaft is rotated, a cutter-disk having peripheral recesses with cuttingedges corresponding to and in alinement with said wire-receiving groovesand disposed between said shaft and guide-plate in shearing relation tothe latter, and means whereby said shaft and cutter-disk areintermittently rotated, so as to simultaneously operate the cutter,displace the groove in alinement with the guide-plate aperture, andplace another groove in alinement with said aperture, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination ,with meansfor feeding the Wire, of a stationary plate having an opening throughwhich the wire is advanced, an intermittently-rotatable cutter-diskflush with said plate having a series of openings with cutting edgesadapted to stand successively in line with the opening in the plate, andmeans for operating said disk; substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor feeding the wire, of a stationary plate having an opening throughwhich the wire is advanced, an intermittently-rotatable cutter-disk Hushwith said plate having a series of openings with cutting edges adaptedto stand successively in line with the opening in the plate, and meansfor operating said disk comprising a ratchet-wheel secured thereon, avibratory pawl in proximity to said ratchet and normally maintained outof engagement therewith, and means for intermittently throwing said pawlinto engagement with said ratchet; substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the character described,

IOO

IIO

the combination with means for feeding the Wire, o f a stationary platehaving an opening through which the wire is advanced, anintermittently-rotatable cutter-disk flush with said plate havingaseries of openings with cutting edges adapted to stand successively inline with the openingin the plate, a ratchet wheel secured on said disk,a vibratory paWl spring-actuated to engage the same but normally heldout of engagement, and means actuated by the wire, on traveling apredetermined distance through an opening in the 4disk, for releasingsaid pawl; substantially as described.

10. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor feeding the Wire, of a plate having auopening through which the wireis advanced, an elongated intermittently-rotatable member flush at oneend Withsaid plate and having a series of longitudinal receptacles withcutting edges at said end adapted to stand successively in line with theopening in the plate, and means actuated by the advancing wire, 0nreaching a predetermined point in a' receptacle, fon turning saidmember; substantially as described.

1l. In a machine of the character described, the combination` withmeans'for advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal receptacles adapted successivelyto receive the Wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofsaid shaft, and means actuated bythe advancing Wire on reaching apredetermined point in a receptacle, for operating the cutter to sever asection and turning the shaft to bring another receptacle into positionto receive the Wire; substantially as described.

12. Ina machine of the character described, the combination, withmeansfor advancing the wire, ofa rotatable shaft having a radiallytarranged seriesoflongitudinalwire-receiving wire, 0n reaching apredetermined point in a receptacle,` for operating the cutter to severa section and turning the shaft to bring another receptacle intoposition to receive the wire, and means for discharging the severedsections from the receptacles in the shaft; substantially as described.

13. In amachine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal peripheral grooves adapted to stand successively in lineWith the wire, a cutter at the receiving end of said shaft, and meansactuated by the advancing Wire, o n reaching a predetermined point in agroove, for operating the cutter and turning the shaft to bring thesucceeding groove into position to receive the Wire; substantially asdescribed.

, 14. Inamachine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the Wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal `grooves adapted in succession to receive the Wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet on the shaft, apaWl, and means for operating said pawl to engage the ratchet andthereby intermittently rotate the shaft; substantially1 as described.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination with vmeansfor advancing the Wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofsaid shaft, a ratchet on said shaft, a vibratory pawl in proximity tosaid ratchet and normally maintained out of engagement therewith, meansactuated by the advancing wire, on reaching a predetermined point in agroove, for releasing said pawl to permit engagement with the ratchet soas to partially rotate the shaft, and means for simultaneously operatingthe cutter to sever the section advanced; substantially as described.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination With meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet on said shaft, avibratory pawl in proximity to and normally held out of en.- gagementwith said ratchet, and means for releasing said pawl, when the advancingWire reaches a predetermined pointin a groove, to permit engagement withthe ratchet to turn the shaft; substantially as described.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination With meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the Wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet 011 said shaft, avibi'atory pawl in proximity to and normally held out of engagement withsaid ratchet, and means actuated by the advancing Wire, on reaching apredetermined point in a groove, for releasing the pawl to permitengagement With the ratchet to turn the shaft; substantially asdescribed.

18. In a machine ofthe characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the Wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the lat ter, a ratchet on said shaft, avibratory paWl in proximity to said ratchet, a spring-actuated stopnormally maintaining said paWl from engaging the ratchet, and a tripdevice connected to said stop and adapted to be engaged by the advancingWire, on reaching a predetermined point in a groove, to release` thepawl and permit the latter to engage the IOO IIO

ratchet and turn the shaft; substantially as described.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the Wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet on said shaft, avibratory pawl.

in proximity to said ratchet, a stop normally maintaining said pawlVfrom engaging the ratchet, a series of slide-bars fitted in the groovesof the shaft in advance of the receiving end thereof, a membersurrounding the shaft and spring-actuated to abut against the forwardends of said slide-bars, said member havinga cam-face the rearmost pointof which abuts the slide-bar in the groove of the advancing wire, andconnection between said cam-faced member and the patri-retaining stop,whereby when said member is moved by the advancing wire the pawl isreleased to engage the ratchet and turn the shaft; substantially asdescribed.

20. Ina machine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to receive the wire asadvanced portions there of are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet on said shaft, avibratory pawl in proximity to said ratchet, a stop normally maintainingsaid pawl from engaging the ratchet, a series of slide-bars fitted inthe grooves of the shaft in advance of the receiving end thereof, asleeve surrounding said slide-bars and limiting their endwise movements,a member surrounding the shaft and spring-actuated to abut against theforward ends of said slide-bars, said member having a cam-face therearmost point of which abuts the slide-bar in the groove of theadvancing wire, and connections between said cam-faced member and thepaWl-retaining stop, whereby when said member is moved by the advancingWire the pawl is released to engage the ratchet and turn the shaft;substantially as described.

21. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the Wire, of a rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal grooves adapted in succession to 'receive the wire asadvanced portions thereof are severed, a cutter at the receiving end ofthe shaft operated by turning the latter, a ratchet on said shaft, alever carrying a pawl spring-actuated to engage the ratchet, acrank-wheel having its pin working in said slotted lever so as tocontinuously vibrate the pawl, a stop normally maintaining the pawl fromengaging the ratchet, and means forintermittently releasing said pawl toengage the ratchet and turn the shaft; substantially as described.

22. In a machine of the character described,

the combination with means for advancing the wire, of a rotatable shafthaving a series of longitudinal grooves adapted in succession toreceivethe wire as advanced portionsthereof are severed, a cutter at thereceiving end of the shaft operated b v turning the latter, a ratchet onsaid shaft, a lever carrying a pawl spring-actuated to engage theratchet, a crank- Wheel having its pin Working in said slotted lever soas to continuously vibrate the pawl, a stop normally maintaining thepawl from engaging the ratchet, and a trip device connected with saidstop and actuated by the advancing wire, on reaching a predeterminedpoint in a groove, to release the pawl and permit the latter to engagethe ratchet and turn the shaft; substantially as described.

23. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination with meansfor advancing the wire, of a longitudinally-grooved shaft adapted toreceive the same, a cutter at the intake end of said shaft operated byturning the iatter,a ratchet connected with the shaft, and a pawlactuated to engage said ratchet and thereby turn the shaft when theadvancing wire reaches a predetermined point; substantially asdescribed.

24. In a machine of the character described, a shaft having a series ofradially-disposed longitudinal wire-receiving grooves therein, incombination with means for advancing a wire into said grooves insuccession, means for severing the wire when said shaft rotates, aratchet on said shaft, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet, means forvibrating said paw] in proximity to the ratchet, means for retaining thepawl normally out of engagement with the ratchet, and tripping devicesactuated by the advancing Wire adapted to cause said pawl-retainingmeans to release the paWl when a predetermined length of wire hasentered a groove, whereby the shaft is intermittently partly rotated.

25. In a machine of the character described, a shaft having a series ofradially-disposed longitudinal wire'receiving grooves therein, incombination with means for advancing a wire into said groovessuccessively as portions of the wire are severed, means for severingsaid wire at intervals when the shaft rotates, a ratchet-wheel on saidshaft, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel, means forcontinuously vibrating said pawl in proximity to said ratchet Whileretaining the pawl normally out of engagement with the ratchet, a shellon said shaft having tripper-bars slidably disposed Within registeringgrooves of the shell and shaft, a spring-held cam-lever adapted to forcesaid trip-bars normally rearward, and means connecting said cam-leverand pawl-retaining means, whereby the advancing wire will automaticallyrelease the pawl and permit the latter to rotate the shaft.

26. The combination, in a machine of the character described, of a shafthaving independent wire-holding grooves therein and means for advancingthe wire into said grooves IOO IIO

IZO

successively, means for severing the wire when the shaft rotates, ashell or sleeve on the shafthaving a series of tripper-bars slidably`arranged therein in` engagement with the grooves of the shaft, andmeans for imparting a part rotation to the shaft adapted to be actuatedby the engagement of the advancing wire with one of said tripper-bars.

27. The combination, in a machine of the character described, of a shafthaving independent Wire-holding grooves therein and means for advancingthe wire into said grooves successively, means for severing the wirewhen the shaft rotates, a shell or sleeve on the shaft having a seriesof tripper-bars slidably arranged therein in engagement with the groovesof the shaft, and means for imparting a part rotation to the shaftadapted to be actuated bythe engagement of the advancing wire with oneof said tripper-bars;` e said shell and tripper-bars being adj ustablyarranged on the shaft.

28. In a machine of the character described,

`the combination with means for advancing the wire, of anintermittently-rotatable shaft having a series of longitudinal groovesadaptedein succession to receive the wire as advanced portions thereofare severed, a cutter at the receiving end of said shaft operated byturning the latter-,mechanism for turning said shaft normally maintainedinoperative, and

means for throwing said mechanism into action comprising a series ofslide-bars fitted in the grooves of the shaft at a forward position, acam-faced annular member surrounding the shaft and spring-actuated toabut the forward ends of said slide-bars,'said member having therearmost portion of its cam-face abutting the slide-bar inthe groove ofthe advancing 4O` wire, and suitable connection between said member andsaid mechanism for actuating the latter when the member is moved by theadvancing wire; substantially as described.`

29. In combination with the rotatable shaft having a series oflongitudinal wire-receiving grooves therein, and means for advancing awire into said grooves successively as portions 'the movement of thewire, whereby whensaid Apoint is reached the pawl will be released and apart rotation given the shaft, thereby severing the wire, carryingsidewise the severed section and bringing another groove into positionto receive the advancing wire.

3Q. In combination with the shaft having a l series of longitudinalgrooves therein adapt` ed to successively receive a Wire moving pariallel with the shaft, means for advancing said wire, and means forintermittently rotating the shaft and cutting the Wire into sections of`predetermined lengths, comprising a cutter on the shaft adapted tosever the lwire when the shaft is rotated, intermittently-actuatedmechanism for rotating the shaft, a series of tripper-bars slidablydisposed within a holder on theshaft each in slidable engagement withone of said grooves, whereby the tripper-bar lying in the groove of theadvancing wire will be moved by the latter at a predetermined point, anda cam-lever having a connection with the shaft-rotating mechanismadapted to be moved by the sliding tripper-bar to throw said mechanisminto operation, and to successively return' the tripper-bars intoposition to be engaged by the advancing wire. 3l. In a machine of thecharacter described, a rotatable shaft provided witha series oflongitudinal grooves, and means for successively feeding a wire intosaid grooves, in combination with wire-Severin g means, a ratchetwheelfor rotating said shaft and actuating said severing means, a maindriving-shaft, a crank-pin carried by said shaft, an arm pivotallysupported intermediate its ends and ,having a longitudinal slot engagedby said crank-pin, a pawl carried by the free end of said arm andadapted to engage said ratchet- Wheel, a stop adapted to retain saidpawl normally out of 'engagement with said ratchetwheel, and meanswhereby said stop is actuated by the advancing wire to release the pawlwhen it reaches a predetermined point in its movement.

32. In a machine of the character described, means for feeding the wirecomprising two oppositely-rotating shafts carrying a pair of rollersbetween which the wire is gripped, movable bearings for said shaftsadjoining said rollers, spring abutments at the opposite ends of saidbearings, and means for adjusting the pressure thereof 5 substantiallyas described. e

33. In a machine of the character described, means for feeding the wirecomprising two oppositely-rotating shafts carrying a pair of rollersbetween which the wire is gripped,mov able bearing-blocks for saidshafts, a guideway for said blocks, compression-springs interposedbetween said blocks and the ends of said guideway,and set-screws enteredthrough the ends of the guideway and bearing against said blocks toadjust the pressure; substantially as described. e

34. In a machine of the character described, the combination, withmechanism for cutting wire into sections of predetermined length, ofinclined guides for conveying said y, sections from the cuttingmechanism, and an inter- IOS IIO

said sections from the cutting mechanism, and an intermittent feeddevice adapted to receive said sections from said conveying `means andto deliver them to position for utilization, substantially as described.

36. In a machine of the character described the combination, withinclined guides or supports for the wire blanks, of an intermittent feeddevice consisting of a rotatable body adapted at each intermittentmovement to receive a desired number of said blanks from the guides andsubsequently to deliver them to position for utilization, substantiallyas described.

37. Ina machine of the character described, an intermittent feed devicecomprising a shaft having a series of disks thereon provided withequidistant peripheral notches, means for intermittently rotating saidshaft, and'guides for presenting the wires in proper position to bereceived by the notches successively, substantially as described.

38. In a machine of the character described the combination, withinclined guides for conveying the wire blanks, f the feed deviceconsisting of an intermittently-rotative shaft having disks thereonprovided with equidistant peripheral notches, means for intermittentlyrotating said shaft to bring saidnotches successively into position toreceive a desired number of said blanks from the guides, substantiallyas described.

39. In a machine of the character described, the combination, withinclined guides between which the wire blanks are supported, of a feeddevice comprising an intermittentlyrotative shaft having disks thereonprovided with equidistant circumferential notches, guards surroundingsaid disks and open below the shaft, and means whereby at eachintermittent rotation of said shaft one notch of each disk is broughtinto alinement with the spaces between the guides to receive a desirednumber of wires, said wires being subsequently dropped from said notchesthrough the openings of the guards, substantially as described.

40. In a machineof the character described, the combination with meansfor severing a Wire into sections of predetermined lengths, of means forconveying said sections from the cutting mechanism, andy means forarranging the ends of the sections evenly as they are conveyed;substantially as described.

41. In a machine of the character described, the combination with meansfor cutting wire into sections of predetermined lengths, of a feeddevice for delivering said sections to position for utilization, meansfor transferring the severed sections from the cutting mechanism to thefeed device, and means for arranging the ends of the sections evenly forpresentation to said feed device; substantially as described. y

42. In a machine of the character described, a wire-straightener, meansfor feeding the wire through the straightener, means for cutf ting thestraightened wire into sections of predetermined lengths, and means fordelivering vsaid sections intermittently to a wireworking machine;substantially as described.

43. In a machine of the character described, a Wire-receiver, means foradvancing the wire into said receiver, means for severing the wire intosections of predetermined lengths,

.means for discharging'the severed sections `from said receiver,inclined guideways for conducting the discharged sections of wire fromthe receiver, and means for adjusting the severed sections of wiremoving along said guideways so that their ends shall be evenly arrangedfor discharge; substantially as described.

45. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a wire-receiver and meansfor advancing the wire into the same, in combination with means forsevering the wire into sections of predetermined lengths, means forsuccessively discharging the severed sections, a guideway arranged toreceive the sections of wire from the receiver and discharge themsuccessively at a distance therefrom, said guideway having a stationaryguard or guide-v post at one side thereof and a movable guard at theopposite side abutting the ends of the discharged sections of wire, andmeans for imparting a shaking or vibratory movement to said movableguard for automatically adjusting the sections of wire to arrange theirends evenly in passing along the guideway.

46. In a machine of the character described, the combination of areceiver having independent Wire-holding receptacles, means foradvancing the wire successively into said receptacles as advancedportions thereof are severed, means for severing the wire when asufficient length has entered a receptacle, means for discharging thesevered sections from said receiver, a guideway for receiving thedischarged sections and delivering them from the machine, a guard foralining the ends of the sections at one side of the guideway, a secondguard at the other side of the guideway, and means for agitating thelatter guard so as to evenly arrange the ends of the severed sectionsand prevent them from overlapping.

47. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable cylindricalshaft having a series of radially-disposed longitudinal Wire-receivinggrooves in its periphery, means for advancing a Wire into said groovessuccessively as advanced portions thereof are severed, means forsevering said wire when it reaches IOO IIO

a predetermined limit in its movement into u a groove, means fordischarging the severed sections from said shaft, and means fordelivering them successively with their ends evenly arranged, to thereceiving mechanism of a Wire-Working machine.

48. In combination with the rotatable shaft having a series ofradially-disposed longitudinal grooves in its periphery, a ratchet-Wheelthereon having teeth corresponding in number with said grooves, meansacting upon said ratchet to intermittently rotate said shaft, meanswhereby a Wire is advanced into said grooves successively during thentervals between the movements of the shaft, and means whereby said Wireis severed when it reaches a predetermined point in a groove;substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

JAMES KELLEY. WALTER V. REID. PETTIS A. REID. Witnesses:

JOHN E. MOFFITT, EDWIN G. KEMPER.

